What happened
On 16 April 2001, a Cessna 172N, registration G-BRAK, was conducting a private flight from Kemble to Lands End. During the journey, the pilot diverted to Bodmin Airfield in Cornwall to make a short stop. Due to poor radio reception, the pilot initially struggled to locate the airfield before receiving assistance from the Distress and Diversle cell.
Upon arrival, the pilot was advised by the tower that the extended threshold of Runway 32 was boggy and was instructed to begin the takeoff run adjacent to the marker board. The pilot was also informed that the left side of the grass runway offered firmer ground than the right. The pilot opted not to use flaps for the departure, believing the available runway length was sufficient.
During the takeoff roll, the aircraft failed to accelerate as expected. By the time the aircraft reached the runway intersection, the airspeed remained below 40 knots. Realizing the takeoff could not be completed, the pilot attempted to abort by closing the throttle and applying the brakes. However, the aircraft failed to stop and began to skid, veering off the left side of the runway. The pilot issued a "Mayday" call and attempted to steer the aircraft back toward the runway while avoiding damage to the nose gear. The aircraft eventually came to a stop after the propeller struck a hedge. There were no injuries to the two occupants.
The investigation
The investigation examined the takeoff performance and the surface conditions of the grass runway. The pilot reported that the aircraft's lack of acceleration and the subsequent failure of the braking system were likely caused by the wet condition of the grass surface. The investigation also noted the damage sustained by the aircraft, which included a bent propeller, a damaged front wheel spat, and damage to the port wing rear spar.